THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

US, 1996, 91 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Jason Alexander, Charles Kimbrough, Paul Kandel, David Ogden Stiers.
Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise.

Not as popular as previous Disney animation features, this seems a film more for adolescents and adults rather than younger children. It re-creates 15th century Paris most imaginatively, especially the cathedral of Notre Dame, the square and the hidden homes of the gypsies. It also has strong characterisations of Victor Hugo's archetypal characters with excellent voices: Tom Hulce a decent Quasimodo, Anthony Jay a sinister Frollo, Demi Moore a vivacious Esmeralda and Kevin Kline a heroic Phoebus. For enjoyment, Jason Alexander, Mary Wickes are lively gargoyles. The songs are not immediately memorable but, if Beauty and the Beast gained a new life on stage, why not Hunchback? This is thoughtfully entertaining.

1. The popularity of Victor Hugo’s story? The characters? The many film versions? The choice of an animated version? The target audience, younger, older? The musical version?

2. The style of animation, the creation of Paris, Notre Dame and its exteriors and interiors, the style of drawing, the characters, Disney characters? The realism and fantasy, the comedy with the gargoyles and their coming alive? The portrait of Quasimodo? Esmeralda? Phoebus?

3. The range of songs, Out There, Hellfire, In Heaven’s Light...? The characters, the situations and themes?

4. Audience familiarity with the story and characters? The film’s explanation? Clopin, the puppetmaster, his character, his narration of the story, his emphases?

5. The world of the gypsies, the mother and her dying in birth, Frollo and his taking the baby, his harshness, the role of the Archdeadon of Notre Dame? Frollo condemning the woman to death? His raising the child in the cathedral? His evil and monstrous behaviour?

6. Quasimodo, growing up, his appearance, the hunch, his face, the tooth? His way of talking? His tasks in the cathedral? His being a servant for Frollo, waiting on him? Ringing the bells? Staying within the cathedral?

7. The humour of the gargoyles, Hugo, Victor and Laverne? As personalities, as friends of Quasimodo? The song-and-dance routines, bringing the cathedral to life and beauty – and preparing for the Feast of Fools?

8. Esmeralda, her place amongst the gypsies, her life, the persecution, the encounter with Frollo, his threats?

9. Frollo, in the church, politics, his motivation, self-deception, his lies, lust and greed?

10. Phoebus the soldier, the hero, his arrival, reputation? The battles? Finding the Court of Miracles? The capture, his disillusionment, Frollo and his control?

11. Esmeralda, her performance, songs, the Feast of Fools, Quasimodo and the people, their mocking him, her supporting him, sanctuary?

12. The gypsies and their characters, hiding underground, Phoebus and his being taken, his taking sides with the gypsies? In battle?

13. Frollo, Esmeralda, his lust, wanting to execute her, Quasimodo and the rescue?

14. The archdeacon, condemning Frollo?

15. The attack on the cathedral, the weapons, Quasimodo and his pouring the oil?

16. Frollo, the fight outside the cathedral, Frollo’s fall?

17. Esmeralda, her choosing Phoebus? Quasimodo and his happiness – yet still disfigured, still lonely?

18. How well did the film incorporate the serious themes from Victor Hugo’s novel? The interpretation of Parisian history?